Health Science Center professors James Martin, M.D., and Carlos Jaén, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.F.P., both of the department of family and community medicine, are changing the face of family medicine by their participation in a two-year study designed to test a new model of care. The new model – TransforMED – is designed to improve patient care and satisfaction, as well as physician satisfaction and practice performance.
“To improve quality or enhance value over the long term, the key lies in profoundly transforming health care delivery and financing to promote more effective and efficient care for all,” said Dr. Martin, clinical professor at the Health Science Center who is also board chair of TransforMED. “With this effort, TransforMED is moving our country toward a high-performance health system.”
TransforMED, an $8 million practice redesign initiative of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), last month launched the demonstration project that will include 36 medical practices participating across the nation. The practices are divided into one of two groups: a facilitated practice or a self-directed practice.
Dr. Jaén, co-director of the Center for Research in Family Medicine and Primary Care and the Dr. John M. Smith Jr. Professor and Chairman, is a member of the TransforMED evaluation team, which will independently publish a final report in early 2009. Evaluations will occur in a variety of ways, including close communication with practice facilitators, detailed medical records reviews and patient surveys to measure the effect of the model on quality of care and disease outcomes.
“Our group will be closely monitoring this model of care, as well as modifying and studying it to learn how it works,” Dr. Jaén said. “This project puts a high emphasis on patient safety and practice efficiency.”
The project features eight core elements:
• Patient-centered care
• Whole-person orientation
• Team approach to care
• Elimination of barriers to access; open access by patients
• Advanced information systems, including electronic health records
• Redesigned, more functional offices
• Focus on quality and safety
• Sustainable reimbursement
The AAFP reports that the TransforMED Model of Care is family medicine’s answer to the Institute of Medicine’s call to cross the quality chasm.
The AAFP contributed to this article
